Tourists urged to return to East Gippsland, support community
The road to Mallacoota has finally reopened more than a month after fires hit the East Gippsland town. Now Premier Daniel Andrews is urging visitors to show their support for the community.
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Visitors who fled Mallacoota as fires ravaged East Gippsland are returning with a key road into the town to reopen on Thursday.
Mallacoota-Genoa Rd was cleared for all traffic on Thursday, after the final section of the Princes Hwy was reopened on Tuesday.
Premier Daniel Andrews called for visitors to return to the hard-hit region but warned against disaster tourism.
“Don’t be going in and rubbernecking. Don’t be stickybeaking into these communities,” he said.
“Go and visit and spend. Spend your time, spend your money.
“Be confident you are helping that community to recover.”
The road into Mallacoota had been closed for more than a month after fires hit the town early on New Year’s Eve.
Hundreds of people huddled on the foreshore as the blaze bore down, turning the sky a menacing red.
More than 1500 people were evacuated in Navy ships and Army helicopters, with many forced to leave behind cars, caravans and boats.
Mr Andrews thanked the timber contractors, Defence Force and emergency services who cleared the roads, conceding it had “taken a while.
“But you can’t cut corners when it comes to safety,” he said.
The Herald Sun last week launched the “Go Country” series to highlight bushfire-affected towns, and urge visitors to return.
Paul Preston, from Beachcomber Caravan Park, said it had been an emotional reunion with those who evacuated but were returning to collect their belongings.
He said some were opting to stay a few nights to spend money in town.
“It is nice to see some familiar faces again,” he said.
“When they did leave it wasn’t under good circumstances so it is nice for them to come.
“They now come in, look at you and tear up.”
Mr Preston estimated that his business typically made “thirty per cent (of its annual profit) in 30 days”, as the town swells with visitors over summer.
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“This summer has been non-existent, barring the workers,” he said.
“Mallacoota has changed — the lake hasn’t changed, the ocean has changed, the people hasn’t changed ... maybe the people have changed a little.
“Go for a road trip around East Gippsland and up the east coast and stay a few nights in towns.
“Don’t fill your eskies up in Melbourne — go to the local butcher, go to the supermarket, hire a boat, pay for your accommodation.”